Eraser



July 10, 1951 LEHMANN I 2,559,884

ERASER Fil'ed June 18, 1947 IN V EN TOR.

JMQJW W Patented July 10, 195T UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ERASER Herbert G. Lehmann, Bridgeport, Conn. Application June is, 1941mm No. 755,323

6 Claims. 1 This invention relates to renewable and refillable erasers having rubber or rubber-like elements for rubbing out ink and pencil marks and the like.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved refillable eraser of the type having a fiat, broad and thin rubber element, which is extremely simple in construction andeconomical to manufacture, yet is effective and efiicient in use.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved eraser as above, which is so or ganized that the working end portion of the rubber element is securely gripped against slipping or shifting without the likelihood of its being cut into or breaking away, yet the element may be quickly released and advanced when it becomes worn.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved eraser as characterized above, which is extremely sturdy and strong so that it will Withstand all pressures and forces encountered in use, without flexing, bending or deforming.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved eraser of the type having two separable clamping portions acting also as a holder, and having a slide band drawing together the two clamping portions, wherein releasing movement of the slide band enables the clamping portions to separate a substantial amount sufiicient to thoroughly free the rubber element and wherein the clamping portions are securely locked against separation when drawn together by the band, thereby preventing inadvertent loosening of the rubber element.

In accomplishing these objects there is provided by the invention a novel holder structure comprising a single strip of sheet metal bent at its center into a U-shape, one of the legs of the U being substantially flat and the other leg having side flanges producing a channel shape adapted to receive the flat leg. The legs at their unjoined ends are embossed orformed into novel structures which are cooperable with eachother and with a novel slide band to provide an improved, efficient and effective meansforclamping' and holding a flat, slab-likerubbereraser element.

One leg has a pair of spaced,-parallel, longitudinally extending ribs of generally uniform height embossed in it, the ribs projecting outward from the outside of the leg, and has a single nib embossed in it and projecting inwardly from the inside of the leg, the nib being located between the ribs and closely adjacent the end of the leg. The other leg end has a single, con-,-

tralized longitudinally extending outwardly-projecting rib embossed in it, and on opposite sides of the rib has a pair of nibs projecting inwardly from the inside of the leg, the said nibs being located closely adjacent the end of the leg also.

The slide band comprises a single strip of flat metal stock bent to have the shape of a generally flat band of substantially rectangular configuration, one side of the band being discontinuous, that is, having a cut transversely across it at its center, where the ends of the strip terminate. The slide band is of a size to closely fit to and beslidable over the U-shaped holder, and is placed on the holder so that the cut in the band provides clearance for the single rib of the leg end when the band is at said end. For this location of the band the two ribs of the other leg end engage the opposite side of the band, and as a result the leg ends are forced together, clamping between them the rubber element.

The embossed nibs of the leg ends embed themselves in the rubber element until the fiat insides of the legs become engaged with the element, and since the nibs are staggered the element is not deeply cut into at any one point nor can it be broken away, while at the same time the working end portion of the element is securely held against slipping or shifting.

By virtue of the strengthening eifect of the ribs and the flanges of the legs, the slide band can be made to exert considerable pressure on the rubber element without deformation of the legs or danger of breaking away of the rubber. When the slide band is shifted off the ribs, the leg ends may be separated sufficiently to completely free the rubber element for advance or replacement, and by virtue of the uniform height of the ribs no camming action is present to tend to advertently shift the band off the ribs, therefore the legs are securely locked together when the band is in locking position.

To function as stops for the slide band, the two ribs on the one leg end are formed to have raised portions or protuberances which prevent the band from being slid 01f the end of the holder and locate it in proper locking position; thus, besides the rubber erasing element, the holder device of this invention comprises but two pieces, which are of simple and economical construction and which do not require assembly operations other than placing one over the other, and therefore the device may be inexpensively produced.

, this invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the eraser.

Fig. 3 is an underside view of the eraser.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the slide band.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a transverse section taken on line 6--6 of Fig. 3, and

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the rubber eraser element.

As shown, the improved eraser of the present invention comprises essentially a rubber or rub her-like eraser element It, a body or holder H- for the element, and a slide band clamping means 12.

The eraser element In is in the form of a flat strip or slab of uniform width and thickness, and

when unused has substantial length so as to 66- cupy practically the entire length of the holder H. The holder H is formed from a single flat strip of sheet metal bent at its center, as. indicated at I3, to a U-shape providing two legs l4 and I5 which are coextensive with and broadside to each other.

The leg [4 has downturned flanges 16 along its opposite side edges, thereby providing a channel shape, and the leg i5 is generally fiat and of a width to be received snugly between the flanges [6 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The cross sectional dimensions of the rubber eraser element Ill are such as to enable the element to be snugly received between the leg M and tor the holder H- and between the flanges It as shown in Fig. 6.

According to the invention the unjoined end portions of the legs M and I5 are embossed or formed into novel structures which are cooperable with a novel slide band, to be described later, whereby an eiiective and efiicient means is provided for clamping and holding the eraser elev ment IQ. Referring to Figs. 1 and 6 the leg [4 has a centralized, longitudinally extending rib I! which projects outwardly from the outside of the leg, and which is of substantially uniform-height except at its ends where it tapers and-blends-with the fiat surface of the leg. The rib l1 extends practically to the end of the leg M and acts to considerably stiffen the leg end.

At the end of the leg is and on opposite'sides of the rib l? a pair of nibs 18* are provided, projecting inwardly from the" inside of the leg, see Figs. 1 and 5. Adjacent the nibs I8 the corners I9 of the leg M are rounded or provided with a radius, as shown in Fig. 1. At the end of the leg l5 a pair of spaced, parallel, longitudinally extending ribs 20 of generally uniform height are formed, the ribs projecting outwardly from the outside of the leg and being coextensive with the rib ll thereby to extend practically to the end of the leg :5. The ribs 20 are formed to have projections 2i intermediate their ends, which function as stops for the slide band [2.

Between the ribs 28 and closely adjacent the end of the leg i5 a nib 28 is formed, Figs. 3 and 5, which projects inwardly from the inside of the leg. The ribs 23 serve to considerably stifien the end of the leg 15, and this is of considerable importance as the leg is otherwise devoid ofside flanges, being a flat strip of thin metal which may be easily bent.

The slide band 2 provided by-the invention for the purpose of drawing together the legs- Mand I5 of the holder H, has a novel shape'as clearly shown in Fig. 4. The band l2 comprisesa single side portion consisting of the ends 24 of the strip. The side portion 23 of the band 12 has slight bends at 25, Figs. 3 and 4, the said bends being spaced apart the same distance as the ribs 20 of the leg [5. The slide band I2 is of a shape and size to closely fit over the legs 14 and [5 of the holder I I, and is placed on the holder so that the out in the band'clears' the single rib I! of the leg 14 when the band is in looking position, as shown in Fig. 1. When the band 12 is so 10- dated, the side portion 23 thereof engages the ribs 20 of the leg 15, as shown in Figs. 3 and 6, and this causes the legs to be forced together so that the inner sides thereof engage and firmly grip the rubber eraser element It).

For such clamping of the element It the nibs I8 arid'28 serve an important function. As shown in Fig. 5 the nibs are embedded in the element Ill, and as seen in Figs. 1 and 3, they grip the element closely adjacent the working end thereof, and therefore they serve to hold the said work ing end firmly and securely against sliding or shifting. During use of the eraser the working strip of flat metal stock bent to havethe 'sh'ape'of end of the element ['0 is subjected to considerable force at times; tending to shift it in the holder H. I have found, however, that the provision of the nibs l8 and 28, together with the stiffening ribs I1 and 2G and the band 12, efiectively hold the element lll against shifting, and at the same time the element is not out into, and does not tend to break away during use. In connection with this latter, the staggered locations of the nibs i8 and 28 play an important part, and also the substantial pressure of the inner sides of the legs 14 and E5 on the element, as made possible in part by the strengthening effect ofthe ribs' H and 20 in the-neighborhood of the nibs.

Moreover, due to the substantially uniform height of the ribs 29' there is absent any tendency for the slide band l2 to be inadvertently shifted off the ribs by a camr'ning action, and therefore the legs I l and 15 are at all times securel looked together, and the" element H3 is securely held in working position. 7

When it is desired to advance the rubber element It" or replace it, the slide band I2 is merely pushed toward the center of the holder H, off the ribs 20, whereupon the leg l5" may be separated from the leg M sufficiently to free the element. For this purpose the leg l5", being fiat, may be flexed when the band I2 is retracted, yet in use the holder II is extremely rigid, and this is an important feature.

As shown in Fig. 6, the ribs 20 engage the band l2 at the bends in the side portion; 23 thereof, thereby making the structure more compact and enabling the band to exert a stronger pressure with less tendency to yield, on the'legs' i4 and l 5'.

By virtue of the provision of thesingle strengthening rib H in the leg l4, and the cut in the dis--' continuous side of the band l2, an extremely simple band cb'nstruction is made possible while at the same time a strong and sturdy organize tion is had. It will be seen that but few and simple parts are required in the eraser of this invention, the parts being inexpensive tofab ricate, and that assembly costs" have been reduced to a= minirhum by the one-piece holder structure. In assemblingthe device, prior to irisertion of the rubber element it between thel'eg's' l4 and IS, the slidebandis placed overthe holder, andthis is accomplished" easily and quickly'by first moving the leg t5 inwardly between-theflangesl6 and against the leg [4, thereby providing considerable clearance between the ribs 29 and the side portion 23 of the band.

For the purpose of making the advancing or feeding of the element l9 easier when the legs I4 and iii are released, the said legs have aligned and coextensive slots 26, Figs. 1 and 3, through which the element It! may be grasped. The slide band 62 is prevented from sliding off the folded end of the holder II by a nib 21, Figs. 2 and 3, formed in the leg l5 and projecting therefrom. The unjoined end of the leg I5 is provided with rounded corners adjacent the ends of the ribs 29, as shown in Fig. 3, so that the corner portions of the element It are available for use without danger of scratching the paper being worked on.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of this invention, and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

I claim: a

1. A holder for a thin elongate slab of erasing material, comprising a pair of opposed, elongate, coextensive, flat, sheet metal strips disposed broadside to each other and connected together at one pair of corresponding ends, the inner sides of the unconnected ends having projecting nibs located closely adjacent but spaced from the end edges thereof for embedment into opposite sides of the slab of erasing material adjacent the working end of the slab to prevent edgewise movement of the working end, and said strips having longitudinal reinforcing ribs extending from points alongside the nibs toward the said connected ends; a releasable slide band engaging said ribs at points removed from the said nibs, for clamping together the unconnected ends of the strips; and stop means maintaining said band spaced, longitudinally of the strip, away from said nibs.

2. A holder for a thin elongate slab of erasing material, comprising a pair of opposed, elongate, coextensive, fiat, sheet metal strips disposed broadside to each other and connected together at one pair Of corresponding ends, the unconnected end of one strip having a pair of longitudinally extending reinforcing ribs projecting from its outer surface, and having a nib located between the ribs and closely adjacent the end edge, projecting from its inner surface, and the unconnected end of the other strip having a centralized longitudinally extending reinforcing rib projecting from its outer surface, and having a pair of nibs located on opposite sides of the rib and closely adjacent the end edge, projecting from its inner surface; and releasable means engaging the unconnected ends of the strips for clamping the said ends together on opposite sides of the slab of erasing material.

3. A holder for a thin elongate slab of erasing material, comprising a pair of opposed, elongate, coextensive, flat, sheet metal strips disposed broadside to each other and connected together at one pair of corresponding ends, the unconnected end of one strip having a pair of longitudinally extending reinforcing ribs projecting from its outer surface, and having a nib located between the ribs and closely adjacent the end edge, projecting from its inner surface, and the unconnected end of the other strip having a centralized longitudinally extending reinforcing rib projecting from its outer surface, and having a pair of nibs located on opposite sides of the rib and closely adjacent the end edge, projecting from its inner surface; and a slide band having a cut in one side portion, said band engaging the unconnected ends of the strips and the cut in the band providing clearance for the said centralized rib on the other strip.

4. A holder for a thin elongate slab of erasing material, comprising a pair of opposed, elongate, coextensive, sheet metal plates disposed broadside to each other and connected together at one pair of corresponding ends, said plates being adapted to receive between them the said slab of erasing material, one of said plates having means for maintaining it rigid longitudinally and the other plate being relatively flexible longitudinally and having at its unconnected end a longitudinally extending reinforcing rib projecting from its outer surface; a slide band carried by the plates and slidable longitudinally thereof for clamping and releasing the said slab, said band having a cut in one side portion, providing clearance for the rib of the flexible strip; and means for limiting movement of the slide band toward the connected ends of the plates, said flexible plate being bendable to release the said slab when the slide band movement is limited by said means.

5. A holder for a thin elongate slab of erasing material, comprising a pair of opposed, elongate, coextensive, sheet metal plates disposed broadside to each other and connected together at one pair of corresponding ends, said plates being adapted to receive between them the said slab of erasing material and one of said plates having at its unconnected end a longitudinally extending reinforcing rib projecting from its outer surface; and a slide band carried by the plates and slidable longitudinally thereof for clamping and releasing the said slab, said band having a cut in one side portion, providing clearance for the said reinforcing rib.

6. A holder for a thin elongate slab of erasing material, comprising a pair of opposed, elongate, coextensive, fiat, sheet metal strips disposed broadside to each other and connected together at one pair of corresponding ends, the unconnected end of one strip having a pair of longitudinally extending reinforcing ribs projecting from its outer surface, and the unconnected end of the other strip having a centralized longitudinally extending reinforcing rib projecting from its outer surface; and a slide band having a cut in one side portion, said band being slidable over the strips and engageable with the said pair of ribs, and the cut in the band providing clearance for the said centralized rib.

HERBERT G. LEHMANN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 137,539 Ellis Apr. 3, 1873 461,205 Faber Oct. 13, 1891 578,289 Ekholm Mar. 2, 1897 1,062,751 Wentworth May 27, 1913 2,136,093 Voight Nov. 8, 1938 2,299,371 Allen Oct. 2-0, 1942 

